Congress govt turns to Devadula amid BRS pressure

Facing sustained pressure from the Opposition BRS, the Telangana government ordered round-the-clock pumping at the Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme and released Rs. 146 crore for pending works while refusing to operate the Kannepalli pumps, citing expert safety concerns over the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages.

Hyderabad: Facing sustained pressure from the Opposition BRS over the alleged failure to utilise Godavari floodwaters, the Congress government on Monday moved to maximise operations at the Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme by ordering round-the-clock pumping and releasing Rs. 146 crore for pending works. However, it remained firm in refusing to operate the Kannepalli pumps under the Kaleshwaram project, citing safety concerns raised by technical experts.

After inspecting the Devadula project, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy and Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy directed officials to run all pumps continuously whenever adequate flows were available in the Godavari River to fill 22 reservoirs and safeguard drinking and irrigation water amid deficient rainfall.

---

Uttam Kumar Reddy announced the immediate release of Rs. 146 crore to expedite pending works and reiterated the government’s target of completing the Devadula project by December 2027. Upon completion, the project is expected to irrigate nearly 5.6 lakh acres across several districts while strengthening drinking water supply in north Telangana. Officials informed the Ministers that seven pumps were currently operational and that all 10 pumps together could lift 0.23 TMCft of water per day.

Even as it stepped up Devadula operations, the government dismissed the BRS’ demand to activate the Kannepalli pumps through the Kaleshwaram system. Bhatti Vikramarka accused the previous BRS government of ignoring engineering advice during the construction of the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages, alleging that political decisions led to their failure.

He said the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) and the Central Water Commission had advised against impounding water in the three barrages until restoration works were completed. He maintained that since operating the Kannepalli pumps required storing water behind the barrages by closing the gates, it could endanger the structures.

The Deputy Chief Minister accused the BRS of misleading the public by demanding water lifting despite expert warnings. He said the government would continue to follow technical recommendations and commence restoration works after the final designs for the barrages were approved. He also reiterated its commitment to completing the Devadula and Seetharama lift irrigation schemes and implementing the Dr BR Ambedkar Pranahita-Chevella project as part of a broader plan to utilise Godavari River waters.